Mr Zotov: I know you are a ballet admirer. I’d like to invite you to Covent Garden. I guess you know the Bolshoi ballet is now in London and tomorrow they are performing “Spartacus”.
Mr Hopkins: Thank you very much. It’s very kind of you. I’ll gladly accept your invitation to see the fabulous Bolshoi ballet which commands the love and admiration of audiences all over the world.
Mr Zotov: Good. Incidentally the performance starts at 7.30 and runs three hours. Would you like me to call for you?
Mr Hopkins: No, thank you. Don’t bother. I’ll get there on my own.
Mr Zotov: Then I’ll be waiting for you at 7.15 outside the theatre. Goodbye.
Mr Hopkins: Thanks a lot. Good-bye.
5. Declining an Invitation
Mr Smirnov: Hello.
Mr Barlow: Hello. I’d like to speak to Mr Smirnov.
Mr Smirnov: Speaking.
Mr Barlow: Barlow here. Good morning, Mr Smirnov.
Mr Smirnov: Could you speak up, please. Your voice is ever so faint.
Mr Barlow: Hold on a minute, please. I’ll try to fix the microphone. Are you there, Mr Smirnov?
Mr Smirnov: Oh, yes. I think that’s better now.
Mr Barlow: Mr Smirnov, I’m calling to invite you to dinner tomorrow.
Mr Smirnov: Thanks a lot. It’s very kind of you and I’d be happy to join you but I’m afraid I’ve got another engagement for tomorrow. I’m very sorry.
Mr Barlow: I’m sorry too, but I do understand I should have invited you a few days ago. One can’t really expect people to accept invitations at such short notice, of course. We’ll have to make it some other time then. Good-bye.
Mr Smirnov: Good-bye, Mr Barlow.
EXERCISES
I. Read these dialogues and pay attention to telephone phrases.
II. Reproduce these dialogues as close to the text as possible.
III. Practise spelling different names over the phone.
IV. What would you say on the phone in reply to these remarks?
1. Hold on, please. I’ll see if Mr Morris is available. 2. How have you been? 3. I wonder if you and your colleagues will join us for lunch on Friday. 4. I’m calling to invite you to Covent Garden. They are performing “Othello” tomorrow. 5. Would you like me to call for you? 6. I’m afraid I will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting which you will hold on Monday. I’m so sorry, really. 7. If you’re ever in London we’d love to see you. 8. Why don’t you come round and have dinner with us next Thursday? 9. Do let’s meet sometime. 10. I wish I could, but I’ve promised to go with my children to the cinema. 11. Would you care for a game of tennis on Saturday morning? 12. Thanks awfully, but I’m afraid I’m booked up for tomorrow.
